Smart cities: Even though the economy is down, public transit use is up in Toronto

[marmar]

from the Toronto Star:



Despite hard times and past trends, TTC ridership is up 3.8 per cent

May 15, 2009 04:30 AM


It's possible people are finally acting on their concerns about the environment.

Or maybe last year's TTC service expansion is beginning to register with commuters.

Transit officials don't know exactly why, but despite the bad economy, Metropass sales continue to grow and ridership is still climbing.

Historically, when unemployment figures rise, TTC ridership dips. But that hasn't been the case this year.

Sales of monthly adult Metropasses have increased 6.5 per cent this year over last year.

Even in April, when the TTC eliminated free parking for Metropass users, sales climbed 4.4 per cent, although use of TTC lots has dropped by about one-third.

The system has also seen a 3.8 per cent increase in ridership this year over last, with Metropass users taking 6.7 per cent more trips.

The TTC collects about $900 million in fares annually.

TTC chair Adam Giambrone admits officials don't know exactly why the system hasn't seen the kind of decline observed in previous economic downturns.

It could be a combination of factors.

It's possible the TTC's decision to phase out tickets in February prodded some customers – particularly men, who often don't like to carry tokens – into buying passes.

Adult ticket and token sales are down about 6 per cent, with cash fare payments up about the same amount.

In the 1990s downturn, ridership dropped sharply, but so did the level of service, which fell victim to provincial funding cuts.


Tess Kalinowski


http://www.thestar.com/article/634712

[TaxCollector]

1. Environmental concerns may be one factor

But, with the economy flat on its back, a lot of these folks may have had their cars repo'd. If you lose you job, many people have no other way of getting around. At least in a place like Toronto they have a good transit system in place, it contrast to so many of our American cities and towns where this need has been severely neglected over the past 50 years.